Red Sox Rumors: Daniel Bard, Matt Garza, Kelly Shoppach

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe offers updates on a player that could be on the Boston Red Sox trade radar this month, Chicago Cubs right-hander Matt Garza, and another that the club could deal before July’s through, catcher Kelly Shoppach.

Last week, it was reported that the Red Sox were ducking out of the bidding for Cubs right-hander Ryan Dempster, though they were remaining in the mix for his teammate in Chicago, Matt Garza. Cafardo later reported that there was a divide in Red Sox camp over how much of an upgrade Garza really offers the club.

Yesterday, Cafardo said that, if the Red Sox and Cubs talk Garza, one player Chicago could focus on is right-hander Daniel Bard.

While Garza was removed from his latest start, it was reportedly due to cramping. The right-hander expects to make his next start, whenever and with whichever team that may be.

While the Red Sox figure to be buyers to some extent this month, there are several pieces they can potentially move as well without hurting their chances to contend this season. With top catching prospect Ryan Lavarnway sitting in Triple-A, one of these potentially expendable players is veteran backstop Kelly Shoppach.

On the year, Shoppach has hit at a clip of .274/.358/.528 with 16 extra-base hits over his 106 at-bats. Carfado notes that the 32-year-old "remains a viable option for teams needing a catcher," including the New York Mets.

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Is Garza a good fit for the Red Sox?

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